Rocky Mountain wedding

I’m not sure what the statute of limitations are on calling yourself a newlywed—I’m guessing it has something to do with when you stop calling your husband your boyfriend?—but I’m definitely still feeling the giddy just-married glow. So, on the occasion of Valentine’s Day, and in the spirit of true love, I’m very excited to share the stories and photos from our wedding last summer.

As you can see, we were lucky to be married in Crested Butte, Colorado, which is almost certainly the most gorgeous spot on the planet. My parents built a house there over a decade ago, so when we got engaged, the decision was a no-brainer: No themes, no venue-renting, no wedding planners, just inviting family and close friends to experience one of our favorite places with us. Plus lots of booze.

With the awesome house came my extremely awesome parents, who served as on-site creative directors. My talented floral-designing mom did all the flowers (many of which were grown right there in her wildflower gardens), my dad managed to build a bar—among other things—in our driveway. We spent the week before the wedding working closely with the rest of our family members, to whom we are eternally grateful: crafting, cooking—in my sister’s case, frosting 300 cookies in the shapes of California, New Jersey and Missouri—and constructing a teepee in our backyard (not as easy as you’d think!).

When you’re surrounded by 14,000-foot peaks, you don’t have to do much decorating, but it was fun to incorporate little details that matched the colorful interiors of my parents’ house. We named the tables after places that were special to us—which happened to be many of the places our guests were traveling from—and Keith hand-painted all the beautiful signage (of course). For each table we collected vintage souvenir accessories from that place—plates, salt-and-pepper shakers, tumblers, pennants—and made our own Pendleton-inspired table runners using wool remnants. I found vintage postcard sets for every place and used them as escort cards, having a little too much fun assigning people a postcard of their favorite building or their hometown.

Instead of renting tableware, my mom gathered various plates at estate sales and antique malls, bought silverware by the pound, and made napkins from dozens of vintage tablecloths. Using leftover scraps of fabric, I sewed pouches for wildflower seeds that served as both place cards and favors. We loved how every table had its own personality and now we’ve got an awesome collection of napkins, vintage glassware and table runners when we want to entertain at home. But the best parts about the decor were the things we didn’t plan. Watching the table signs be used as dancing props. Seeing guys tuck the napkins into their jackets as pocket squares. And, during dinner, looking in amazement as a double rainbow arched across the sky.

Of course, we didn’t do everything ourselves. My musical genius uncle Eddie Guion put together a funk band who kept the dance floor steamy until the wee hours. Our friends at the Crested Butte restaurant Maxwell’s prepared a fantastic Colorado-sourced dinner menu, and Third Bowl concocted dreamy ice cream flavors for dessert (sweet corn and lime!). Mixologist Parker Jones (a manager at the Denver restaurant Linger) crafted custom cocktails using local cherries and peaches with distilled-in-LA spirits from Greenbar Collective. I’m still not sure how they did it, but the team at Crested Butte Rental Center installed a massive tent and a sturdy dance floor in my parents more-than-gently sloping front yard. For my dress, I found the pink silk rosette fabric and took it to the awesome Laura Howe at Matrushka Construction here in Silver Lake, who designed a gown that was classy and comfortable (even as I was doing toe-touches late night). She also made my sister’s hot pink bridesmaid dress. My jewelry was designed by my dear friend Trish Flynn at Kindred Stones and the rad Emily Burton made Keith’s wedding band. Lala Press letterpressed our invites and the great Hilda Rasula lovingly produced a video that made everyone cry (in a good way). And of course the reason you’re able to see all of this is due to our amazing photographers, Laure Joliet and Morgan Satterfield.

It was hard work, absolutely, but I would do it all again in a heartbeat. I think the fact that we did it ourselves, using the resources we had, collaborating with our talented friends and family made it even more meaningful. In the end, all that really mattered is that we found ourselves on top of a mountain on that summer day, surrounded by the people we love.

Oh, and that only one person fell off the dance floor and rolled down the hill. He was fine!

Thank you so much for sharing this. Since your engagement I’ve wondered about and admired the closeness and warmth evident in snapshots previously posted. The story of the creation of your wedding is a wondrous tale in keeping with your imaginative, gentle, anything-is-possible, kind spirit. Your husband is a lucky guy, but so are the rest of us for your generosity. Wishing you a long, healthy, prosperous, happy and adventurous life together.

Alissa

Thank you so much, Oscar!

Alissa

Thank you so much, Oscar!

Alissa

Aw, what a wonderful thing to say! Thanks, Lydia for saying it!

Carey Okrand

ok….a confession……my grown-up twin daughters and I had fun pouring over the photos you posted this summer while we were on vacation together. Thank you for sharing Alissa! And thank you for contributing to mom/daughter bonding!

Annie Hollywood

Wow, those table settings are crazy good. I love to see so much color. Seems like everything and everyone was vibrant. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Alissa

That’s awesome, Carey! Fitting since our wedding was the best mom-daughter bonding time ever.

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